Matthew 14:23-33#1

Matthew 14:23-33 #1
As we study the life and ministry of Jesus, it is obvious that many of the miracles He did was for the express purpose of teaching the twelve and no one else. The miracle of Jesus walking on the water and then inviting Peter to do the same is just such an incident. None of the crowds would ever know about this. Even the following day when the people wanted to know how Jesus came to the other side (John 6:25-27), He did not tell them. Therefore, what we are seeing is one of many occasions in which Jesus is strengthening the faith of the twelve and preparing them for their mission once He leaves the earth.Mark’s account fills in some of the details that are not revealed by Matthew. Mark tells us that as Jesus prayed on the mountain He was able to see the disciples in the middle of the sea straining at rowing against a powerful wind. However, Jesus did not immediately go to them, but instead continued praying until nearly daybreak. The apostles, in spite of being stuck in the middle of the sea, did not turn back, but continued to row against the wind. Jesus had given them a command to go to the other side, and they were determined to obey.

What is especially fascinating is that when Jesus finally came to them walking on the water, He intended to pass by them (Mark 6:48). It was only when they cried out that He came to their rescue and told them not to fear. What was the lesson for the twelve? It is a lesson for every disciple. The mission the Lord would give the twelve and the mission that all of us have to serve Him and proclaim His name, is something too big for us to do alone. As the apostles rowing against the wind, all of our strength will not bring us to the other side. They needed the Lord, and so do we. The Lord did not intend for us to serve Him with our own strength or our own “superior” abilities. Only with His help will we succeed. Therefore, when Jesus gave the Great Commission, His last words were, “and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” Yes, and with that, we will succeed.
Berry Kercheville